Slovenia has reiterated its support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials, including Slovenian judge Beti Hohler, after US President Donald Trump signed an order to impose sanctions on its staff, a move condemned by Slovenia.

"It is deeply concerning that the US is undermining the very foundations of international criminal law, which it once played a key role in shaping. The scope and rationale of these sanctions represent not only a denial of historical lessons, but also a blatant disregard for the rule of law as the bedrock of modern international relations," President Nataša Pirc Musar said.

She expressed support for the initiative of the states parties to the Rome Statute to stand up for the ICC and its personnel, "including the judge form Slovenia, who should continue her important work despite the obstacles imposed by this superpower".

The president says the US executive order is sending a dangerous message to the world: "that ICC judges will be punished simply for pursuing justice against those suspected of such grave crimes".

She believes the message to the international community should be quite different: "the only assurance that individuals - regardless of nationality - will not be prosecuted is that they are not complicit in the most heinous crimes against humanity".

Prime Minister Robert Golob joined the condemnation of the move. "Slovenia will continue to be a staunch supporter of the independence of this central international criminal justice institution and its staff," he was quoted as saying on X.

The Foreign Ministry expressed regret over Trump's decision. "In the interest of justice, judicial institutions must be allowed to act independently," it said, adding that "judicial persons must have protection from threats and outside influence".

Trump's executive order, which has been condemned by the ICC and the EU, accuses the court of "illegitimate and baseless actions", after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC also issued a warrant for the former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who died last year.

The three-member pre-trial chamber that issued the arrest warrants included Slovenian judge Beti Hohler.